Shelving device



June 1958 y l. J. FERDINAND ETAL 2,837,219

SHELVING DEVICE Filed Aug. 13, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS',

June 3, 1958 Filed Au 1:5, 1954 l. J. FERDINAND ETAL 2,837,219

SHELVING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS/ f 7 Zrzuz'zz J Era inane! am/ J7 %I W v 621%? United States Patent SHELVJN G DEVICE Irwin J. Ferdinand, Glencoe, and Ralph J. Bellon, Chicago, Ill., assignors to A. HirshManufacturmg Co., Skokie, .Ill., a corporationof lllinois Application Augus't'lS, 1954, Serial No. 449,724 4Claims. (Cl.:211- -147) This invention relates to shelving devices of the type wherein separately-formed supporting uprights and transverse shelf-supporting brackets are adapted for relative adjustment to conveniently alter and vary "the vertical spacing of shelves.

Whether for stock-room storage or for point-of-purchase display, the modern store is innee'd of shelving which can be transported in-dismantled form; quickly set up when and where needed with wide variations in the vertical spacing of the shelves; expeditiously altered; and speedily disassembled and stored-as occasion may require.

The main objects of this invention, therefore, are to provide an improved form of shelving device characterized by separately-formed, rapidly-assembled, and quicklyadjusted upright supports and shelf-supporting brackets; to provide an improved form of bracket adjustably located on apertured upright supports at any desired height; -to provide an improved form of shelf-sections *rernovably mountable on the shelf-supporting brackets; to provide improved means for detachably locking together the abutting ends of the shelf sections; and to provide an improved shelving device of this kind which is so simple in construction as to make its manufacture extremely economical and its assembly, dismantling and reassembly ver-y facile operations even by the mostinexperienced and nonmechanically-disposed persons.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view -of an improved shelf-supporting bracket constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing infull outline its normal position on an upright support, and in dotted outline the position wherein the bracket is placed for positioning on or removing from an upright support;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken -on the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an underside,end-perspective view of portions of two abutting shelf .sections, illustrating the slotting and grooving whereby the shelf sections are removably positionable on the brackets and the abutting sections are capable of being locked together.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one form of screw clamp for locking abutting shelf sections together; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional-view of the abutting portions of adjacent she'lfsections, showing how the shelf-supporting bracket is seated in a shelf slot and how the abutting ends of adjacent shelf sections are locked together, the screw clamp here shown being a modification 'of the one shown in-Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is -a bottom plan-view of'a modified form of the invention.

The essential concept of this invention involves vertically disposed angle iron uprights or supports, each having a series of uniformly-spaced holes; a plurality of shelf brackets, each-formed with a projecting pin anda pair of aligned axially-spaced detents receivable in the support holes to support the brackets [in a horizontalposition on the supports; and T-s'lotted and grooved shelf sections or bars.

which may be telescopically received on the bracketswith the abutting ends of those on the same level locked together by readily applied clamps.

.A shelving device embodying the foregoing concept comprises a plurality of upright supports ,A, a plurality of shelf-supporting brackets B, on which the easilyrremovable shelf sections C are mounted, and locked together by clamps D.

The supports A, only a fragment of one of whichs shown in Fig. 1, as a rule would be T-shaped angleirons A series of uniformly-spaced holes 11 are punched alongthe leg portion 12. Generally, these apertures are arranged medially between the armportions 13 and the free edge '14 of the leg 12. Such supports are suitably constructed for either being bolted to .a wall, or back to back with each other where the shelving is to be located more or less permanently on the wall or as an island. In all instances, however, itispreferred that bases (not shown) he used at the bottom of the supports where the shelving is to be used for displays,partic.ularly in storeswhere the public has access. I

The brackets B preferably are-of a'sectional form having two oppositely directed coplanar to engage the shelving and a pin locked in engagement with the holes 11 when in Weight supporting relationship.

In'Fig. 1, a very practical form of bracket B-is shown comprising a sheet metal stamping folded upon itself to provide a U shaped body'with parallel side portions '19 and .20 forming the main weight bearing strut sectionjhaving a rpair:of opposi-tely-disposed coplanar flanges 21 and 22 integral with the parts 19 and "20 at their upper edges.

' The plate "from which such a bracket is stamped is so shaped'initially that in its folded form the parallel parts 19 and 20 taper out along the fold 23, thus giving the strut section'of bracket B a triangular :contour inside elevation. The spacing of the :sides '19 and '20 is such as to permit theread-yrecepti-on:of-theleg portion '12 of the support A, betweenthe base ends of sides '19 and'Zb.

The side 19 has a portion near the base cut away on an angle as at 24. The material along the bend 23, adjacentxthe base of the sides 19 and 20, is also cut away to form a slot 27 and ears 19a :and 20a on the respective sides .19 and 20. A portion of the cutaway material is turned down to formashoulder 18. At its rear extremity the ,ear :19a ,is bent outwardly to form a flare 26 (see Fig. 1.).

,The pin .16 is ofza diameter to-fit easily in the holes 11, and is anchored to the side 20 of the bracket B adjacent to gt-hezupper 'rear corner at a distance inwardly from the base that is somewhat less than the distance between a hole'll and the adjacent face of the arm portions 13 of the support A. V

The .detents "17 are vhere shown in the form of embossments extending inwardly toward each other on the ears 19a and 20a. They are spaced inwardly from the base :the same as the 'pin 16, and are spaced radially from the pin 16 a distance equal to the spacing of the holes .11. These embossments are of a diameter'to insure their seating in one of the-holes 11 when the pin .plain lumber. 'Plywood three-quarters of an inch 'is pre fer-red, but whatever its form, it is provided with slots 28 of a T-shape molded or cut in one face thereof to form spaced ledges 29 defining the opposed recesses 30. The width of. the slot 28, between the opposed ends of the ledges 29, and the depth of the recesses 39 is such as to permit the flanges 21 and 22, of the bracket B, toslicle snugly and telescopically into the recesses 30 (see Fig. 6); thereby seating a shelf section on a bracket B.

At their ends the shelf sections are grooved, as at 31, thereby forming spaced extensions 32 and 33. The latter is slightly shorter than the former so that when the two shelf sections are level with each other with the extensions 32 abutting as at 31a (Fig. 6) there is a channel 34 between the opposed edges of the extensions 33 (see Fig. 6) to receive and stem part of the clamp D.

The shelf-section clamp D is here shown in two forms. Each comprises a threaded stem 36, a fixed base washer 37, a shiftable washer 38, and a thumb nut 39.

In the adaptation shown in Fig. 5, the stem 36 is svviveled on the base washer 37 and the washer 38 is threaded to move along the stem 36 as it is turned. The thumb nut 39, in this case, is integral with the stem 36.

In the adaptation shown in Fig. 6, the stem 36 is integral with the base washer 37 and the washer 38 is free to slide on the stem 36. The thumb nut 39 is threaded to move along the stem 36.

In both adaptations the washers 37 and 38 are oppositely cupped and of a like diameters which should not be greater than the distance between the bases of the recesses 31 when the extensions 32 abut as shown in Fig. 6. Moreover, when the washers are formed they are dished as at 40 and sheared in a direction leaving relative sharp edges 40 which dig into the shelf material for added securement. This is true also of the cooperating clamping element. i

Ashelving device, such as herein shown, embodying this invention, is assembled and set up in the following manner:

Several of the upright supports A are appropriately secured to a wall or to each other back to back. Brackets B are then placed in the desired positions on these supports. This is easily effected by positioning a bracket B in the upwardly-inclined position with respect to a support A, as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 1. This will permit the pin 16 to be inserted into an aperture 11 on the stern part 12 of the support A. The bracket B is then swung down to a horizontal position whereupon the flare 26 of the ear 19a contacts the leg portion 12 of the support A to insure the stem part 12 passing between the ears 19a and 20a to permit the detents 17 to seat' themselves in a lower appropriate hole 11 (see Fig. 3)

with the shoulder 18 abutting the free edge 14 of the leg portion 12 of the support A (see Fig. 2). This disposes the bracket B horizontally at right angles to the support A in a position ready to have the shelf sections C slipped into place thereon.

After the desired number of brackets B have been thus assembled on the supports A, shelf sections C are placed to span two or more brackets B, depending upon the length of the shelf sections C and the spacing of the bracket B on the supports A. To seat a shelf'section on a bracket B the end of the bracket is placed in registration with a T-shaped slot 28 and the shelf section' pushed inwardly so that the flanges 21 and 22 on the bracket B telescopically enter the recesses 30.

At any point where shelf sections abut, they are locked together with one or more of the clamps D. The thumb nut 39 is turned to separate the washers37 and 38 a distance greater than the thickness of the extension 33. This will allow the fixed base washer 37 to enter the opposed end grooves 31 in the respective shelf sections C and the stem 37. to enter the channel 34 between the opposed extensions 33. A clamp D needs to be inserted only enough to locate the washers 37 and 38 fully within the grooves 31. Upon turning the'thumb nut 39 the washers 37 and 38 will be drawn together to firmly clam'p between them the opposed extension 33 with the other extensions 32 abutting. Thereupon the adjacent shelf sections C will be inseparably locked together so long as the clamp D remains set.

When it is desired to change or dismantle a shelving device, the clamps -D are first removed. The shelf sections C then may be removed from the brackets B which, in turn, may be removed from the supports A, and again reassembled elsewhere as described.

It will be appreciated, however, that the shelves are preferably notched as at 42 at the inner edge coincident with the T-slots 28 to accommodate the leg and arm portions 12 and 13 of the support A to let the shelf go clear to the wall if desired, and the shelf itself otherwise constructed or arranged along its front edge to receive shelf parts such as moldings and price tags (not shown).

Also, as shown in Fig. 7, the edges; of flanges 21 and 22 can be tapered towards the front end as shown with flanges 21a and 22a with the T-slo-t 31a correspondingly Y tapered to receive the shelf thereon in leveled resting posi tion before the shelf is pushed rearwardly to its final position in snug and guided relationship.

Consequently, although we have shown a preferred embodiment of our invention and several embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art how the objects stated are accomplished along with the many advantages mentioned and how various other and further modifications or change-s can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope ofwhich is commensurate with the appended claims' What is claimed is:

l. A shelving device comprising, a vertical, support with a transverse stem part having a series of vertically spaced'apertures, a shelf bracket of U-shaped cross section having a web connecting a pair of legs with transversely-disposed coplanar flanges formed integrally along the upper marginal edges of the legs, the bracket at the web being slotted inwardly from the base to form a pair of spaced ears and a shoulder inwardly of the base, one leg of the U-shaped part of the bracket being cut away adjacent the base, an inwardly-extending pin on the other leg of the bracket adjacent the base and the respective flange, and aligned inwardly-disposed projections formed on the ears adjacent the base and the slot, the projections being spaced from the pin a distance equal to the spacing of the support apertures, the shelf bracket being sccured to the support by seating the pin in one support aperture'and the projections in another support aperture.

posed coplanar flanges formed integrally along the upper marginal edges of the legs, the bracket at the web being slotted inwardly from the base to form a pair of:

spaced ears and a depending shoulder inwardly of the base, one leg of the U-shaped part of the bracket being cut away adjacent the base, an inwardly-extending pin on the other leg of the bracket adjacent the-base and the respective flange, and aligned inwardly-disposed projections formed on the ears adjacent the base and the slot, the projections being spaced from the pin a distance equal to the spacing of the support apertures, the shelf bracket being secured to the support by seating the pin in one support aperture and the projections in another support aperture on opposite sides of the support.

3. A shelving device comprising, a support with a transverse stem part having .a series of uniformly spaced apertures a shelf bracket of U-shaped vertical cross-section having a web connecting a pair of'legs with transverselydisposed coplanar flanges, the bracket at the web being slotted inwardly from the base to form a pair of spaced ears and a shoulder inwardly of the base, one, leg of the.

U-shaped part of'the bracket being cut away adjacent the base, an inwardly-extending pin fixedly secured on the other leg of the bracket adjacent the base and the respective flange, aligned inwardly-disposed projections formed integrally on the ears adjacent the base and the slot, the projections being spaced from the pin a distance equal to the spacing of the support apertures, the shelf bracket being secured to the support by seating the pin in one support aperture and the projections in another support aperture on opposite sides of the support, and a shelf section having a slot of T-shaped cross-section formed from side to side in one face thereof to telescopically receive the bracket flanges for seating the shelf section on the bracket.

4. A shelving device comprising, a support with a transverse stem part having a series of uniformly vertically spaced apertures, a shelf bracket of U-shaped cross section having a web connecting a pair of legs with transversely-disposed coplanar flanges formed integrally along the upper marginal edges of the legs, the bracket at the web being slotted inwardly from the base to form a pair of spaced ears and a depending shoulder inwardly of the base, one leg of the U-s-haped part of the bracket being cut away adjacent the base, an inwardly-extending pin on the other leg of the bracket adjacent the base and the respective flange, and aligned inwardly-disposed projections formed on the ears adjacent the base and the slot, the projections being spaced from the pin a distance equal to the spacing of the support apertures, the shelf bracket being secured to the support by seating the pin in one support aperture and the projections in another support aperture on opposite sides of the support, and a shelf section having a slot of Tashaped cross-section formed from side to side in one face thereof to telescopioa'lly receive the bracket flanges for seating the shelf section on the bracket, the shelf section having grooves at the ends thereof to form extensions, the extension on the said one face of the shelf section being shorter than the extension'on the other shelf face, and sets of pairs of washers on threaded stems, each pair of washers being relatively adjustable on a single threaded stem for interposing between the opposed extensions the stem-adjusted washers for locking together end to end a plurality of shelf sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 569,640 Hartzell Oct. 20, 1896 1,223,710 Mattson et al Apr. 14, 1917 1,389,587 Hil born Sept. 6, 1921 1,599,653 Cranston Sept. 14, 1926 2,056,078 Slater Sept. 29, 1936 2,136,109 Kress Nov. 8, 1938 2,191,701 Wood Feb. 27, 1940 2,681,786 Sparring June 22, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 678,874 Great Britain Sept. 10, 1952 

